We hope you have enjoyed the SRGC Forum. You can make a Paypal donation to the SRGC by clicking the above button

Author Topic: Alpine Walks in Valais  (Read 103376 times)

Paddy Tobin

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4463
  • Country: 00
Re: Alpine Walks in Valais
« Reply #105 on: July 16, 2009, 01:00:16 PM »
Hi Tanya,

Delighted to have you join us. You come from excellent stock! I have really enjoyed your Mum's and Dad's postings here on the forum, excellent photographs and an obvious love of the plants comes through in the text.

Stay with us and join in the posting.

Paddy
Paddy Tobin, Waterford, Ireland

https://anirishgardener.wordpress.com/

David Nicholson

  • Hawkeye
  • Journal Access Group
  • Hero Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 13117
  • Country: england
  • Why can't I play like Clapton
Re: Alpine Walks in Valais
« Reply #106 on: July 16, 2009, 01:10:57 PM »
Welcome Tanya. Some of us appreciate Dandelions too you know, in fact one of us keeps one as a pet, so you are sure to find something in East London to please us.
David Nicholson
in Devon, UK  Zone 9b
"Victims of satire who are overly defensive, who cry "foul" or just winge to high heaven, might take pause and consider what exactly it is that leaves them so sensitive, when they were happy with satire when they were on the side dishing it out"

Luc Gilgemyn

  • VRV President & Channel Hopper
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5528
  • Country: be
Re: Alpine Walks in Valais
« Reply #107 on: July 16, 2009, 01:16:26 PM »
Welcome to the gang Tanya !
You will have seen that  Ragged Robin's posts do not go unnoticed here !  She's become a "posting hero" in no time !!

I just wonder how you can possibly prefer East London to the Swiss Alps ...  ??? ??? ;)
Luc Gilgemyn
Harelbeke - Belgium

Ragged Robin

  • cogent commentator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3494
  • Country: 00
  • in search of all things wild and wonderful
Re: Alpine Walks in Valais
« Reply #108 on: July 16, 2009, 02:54:46 PM »
Angelwings, thanks for visiting - I knew you would like it here and thanks so much for your lovely comments, it's great to share the plant world with such a wonderful, funny and enormously talent crowd from all parts of the globe - and what a welcome they have given you too  ;D

Keep your green-fingers growing and your artist's eye tuned in to what's going on around the place and remember to take you camera so we can enjoy your East London View  ;)

Sunny here today hope it is with you  8)
Valais, Switzerland - 1,200 metres - Continental climate - rocks and moraine

Ragged Robin

  • cogent commentator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3494
  • Country: 00
  • in search of all things wild and wonderful
Re: Alpine Walks in Valais
« Reply #109 on: July 16, 2009, 04:37:16 PM »
A path is there to follow and find what lies beyond……
Treading this ancient path you see what grows in walls or on its borders, out in the open or skirting the trees.
Valais, Switzerland - 1,200 metres - Continental climate - rocks and moraine

Ragged Robin

  • cogent commentator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3494
  • Country: 00
  • in search of all things wild and wonderful
Re: Alpine Walks in Valais
« Reply #110 on: July 16, 2009, 04:39:25 PM »
This well trod path leads to the terraced meadows  - an insect haven….
But –
The meadow grass is cut –
It’s quite a shock to see the brown stalks devoid of flowers…..a once buzzing, flying insect community – gone!
Valais, Switzerland - 1,200 metres - Continental climate - rocks and moraine

Ragged Robin

  • cogent commentator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3494
  • Country: 00
  • in search of all things wild and wonderful
Re: Alpine Walks in Valais
« Reply #111 on: July 16, 2009, 04:46:04 PM »
So where have all these hungry insects disappeared to?  An expectant spider, well camouflaged on a lone flower head, waits patiently.
A bee has no idea it is in danger as it enjoys a feast close by…
Close by a scene is being played out that is sad for one creature and happy for another: the cycle of life can be disturbing in the raw.
Valais, Switzerland - 1,200 metres - Continental climate - rocks and moraine

Ragged Robin

  • cogent commentator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3494
  • Country: 00
  • in search of all things wild and wonderful
Re: Alpine Walks in Valais
« Reply #112 on: July 16, 2009, 04:47:45 PM »
On the edge of the meadows the last dry grasses topple over the rocks and point down to the path below.  Passing Alpine views are framed through the leaves…
Valais, Switzerland - 1,200 metres - Continental climate - rocks and moraine

Ragged Robin

  • cogent commentator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3494
  • Country: 00
  • in search of all things wild and wonderful
Re: Alpine Walks in Valais
« Reply #113 on: July 16, 2009, 04:49:51 PM »
It takes a time to adjust your focus …and then…butterflies abound!
In the cool corners and dappled sunlight they have found the perfect spot….
A black and white butterfly on bramble flowers before they set to fruit….
Valais, Switzerland - 1,200 metres - Continental climate - rocks and moraine

Ragged Robin

  • cogent commentator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3494
  • Country: 00
  • in search of all things wild and wonderful
Re: Alpine Walks in Valais
« Reply #114 on: July 16, 2009, 04:53:01 PM »
A small white hangs on a stalk watching – its colour sensitive compound eye looking for the next possible food source…..
A small yellow attracted by bright cerise flowers before they fade…
Valais, Switzerland - 1,200 metres - Continental climate - rocks and moraine

Ragged Robin

  • cogent commentator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3494
  • Country: 00
  • in search of all things wild and wonderful
Re: Alpine Walks in Valais
« Reply #115 on: July 16, 2009, 04:54:50 PM »
In the distance On uncut flowers at the woodland edge there is a frenzy of activity – each flying insect on its own flight path to a destination….
Valais, Switzerland - 1,200 metres - Continental climate - rocks and moraine

Ragged Robin

  • cogent commentator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3494
  • Country: 00
  • in search of all things wild and wonderful
Re: Alpine Walks in Valais
« Reply #116 on: July 16, 2009, 04:57:37 PM »
But competition for patches of wild flowers is tough….
and survival dependant on fitness to seek out a nectar drink…… before someone else gets there first!
Valais, Switzerland - 1,200 metres - Continental climate - rocks and moraine

Ragged Robin

  • cogent commentator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3494
  • Country: 00
  • in search of all things wild and wonderful
Re: Alpine Walks in Valais
« Reply #117 on: July 16, 2009, 04:59:04 PM »
Those canny butterflies that have survived and show the battered scars of time are watching out –
newly hatched adults parade their colours and markings confidently as they feed.
Valais, Switzerland - 1,200 metres - Continental climate - rocks and moraine

Ragged Robin

  • cogent commentator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3494
  • Country: 00
  • in search of all things wild and wonderful
Re: Alpine Walks in Valais
« Reply #118 on: July 16, 2009, 05:00:49 PM »
Into the jungle of grass and flowers some are too busy to notice another presence, head down immersed in combing the surface of a flower intently until a small motion begs the question: ‘are you a threat?’
Valais, Switzerland - 1,200 metres - Continental climate - rocks and moraine

Ragged Robin

  • cogent commentator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3494
  • Country: 00
  • in search of all things wild and wonderful
Re: Alpine Walks in Valais
« Reply #119 on: July 16, 2009, 05:06:21 PM »
Others are oblivious, concentrated on a carpet of heady flowers -
And, just as important, a place to rest…. and reflect…..or soak in some heat from the sun before taking off to the next patch…..
Valais, Switzerland - 1,200 metres - Continental climate - rocks and moraine

 


Scottish Rock Garden Club is a Charity registered with Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR): SC000942
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal